Figure 1.-- This CDV portrait was probably taken in the 1890's. The photographer and twin boys are unidentified, except it is English. Like many portraits with hobby horses, the children are boys. Like these twins, the boys are often dressed in sailor suits. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

HBC has noted that 19th century portraits with hobby horses generally have boys on them. We have noted well over 200 images, primarily of American boys, many of which are posted on HBC. The vast bulk of these portraits are of boys. We know of no actual study here, but our observations are confirmed by several HBC readers. HBC readers have reported similar findings for English and German portraits. There were a few portraits of girls. The number of images with girls on hobbyhorses, however, is much more limited. This is often complicated, however, because many portraits were taken while boys still had long hair or wore dresses and other skirted outfits. e have identified many of these children as boys, but others we are not positive. Even considering these portraits, as best we can tell, hobby horses for boys was a strong convention. Another complicating factor is that many of these portrits are studio portraits and not taken at home. Thus we are not sure that the ratio of studio portraits would follow the same ratio at home. And of course, many nurseries had only one hobby horse that all the children rode. Still the decided trend to have boys rather than girls photographed with hobby horses is curious.

Created: June 30, 2003
Last updated: June 30, 2003